Microfluidic Analyte Measurement Without Calibration Samples

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Solution Overview

Problem

Affinity-based assays for measuring analyte concentration face irreproducibility issues due to the degradation of calibration samples in uncontrolled storage conditions, making it unreliable to translate signal amplitude to concentration directly.

Innovation Solution

A method using a microfluidic channel with affinity probes to measure a pseudo-rate constant from the temporal signal change, determining analyte concentration by comparing it to a predetermined relationship, eliminating the need for calibration samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration samples are used to generate calibration curves for determining analyte concentration, then the measurement process can be established, but the calibration samples degrade over time under uncontrolled storage conditions, making their active concentration unknown and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte concentration measurementVSAvoidcalibration sample stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and measures only the kinetic parameter (pseudo-rate constant) from the binding reaction, separating it from the amplitude parameter that depends on calibration sample concentration. By taking out only the essential kinetic information needed for concentration determination, the method eliminates dependence on stable calibration samples while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a theoretical calibration curve based on kinetic principles rather than relying on physical calibration samples. This virtual copy of the calibration relationship is generated from first principles of binding kinetics, eliminating the need for physical calibration standards that degrade over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the amplitude of the measured signal is directly translated to analyte concentration, then quantification can be performed, but irreproducibility in the system makes this translation unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantification speedVSAvoidconcentration determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the measured parameter from signal amplitude (which is sensitive to system variations) to pseudo-rate constant (which is insensitive to amplitude variations). This parameter transformation maintains the ability to perform rapid quantification while significantly improving measurement precision and reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional calibration methods are used in point-of-care or over-the-counter tests, then analyte concentration can be determined, but the shelf life and storage conditions are not well controlled, causing calibration sample degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepoint-of-care testing capabilityVSAvoidcalibration sample shelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the measurement system to self-calibrate by determining the pseudo-rate constant directly from the binding kinetics without requiring external calibration samples. The system serves itself by using the inherent kinetic properties of the binding reaction to establish the concentration measurement scale, eliminating the need for separate calibration sample management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides reliable analyte concentration measurements without requiring calibration samples, as pseudo-rate constants are less sensitive to measurement setup variations, ensuring accuracy and reproducibility.

Implementation Method 1

a surface of the microfluidic channel is provided with affinity probes for binding the analyte to the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAffinity binding: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12455282B2Method and system for measuring analyte concentration in a sample

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 MIDIAGNOSTICS NV

AI summary

There is provided a method and a system for measuring analyte concentration in a sample. The sample is provided to a microfluidic channel. A surface of the microfluidic channel is provided with affinity probes for binding the analyte to the surface. A signal which is indicative of the binding of the analyte to the affinity probes is measured temporally. The temporally measured signal is then analyzed to determine a pseudo-rate constant which is indicative of how fast the temporally measured signal changes with time. The analyte concentration in the sample is determined by comparing the determined pseudo-rate constant to a predetermined relationship which relates pseudo-rate constants to analyte concentrations.